United Nations

Geneva -- 24 September 2008 -- A new study says tackling climate change could create millions of new jobs in both developed and developing countries. At the same time, the report warns there will be job losses in certain sectors as countries adjust to the shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy. The International Labor Organization, the U.N. Environment Program and the International Organization of Employers produced the study.

A worker stands in a photovoltaic solar power plant, which is under construction, next to the village of Buchloe near Landsberg am Lech, southern Germany, 18 Jun 2008
A worker stands in a photovoltaic solar power plant, which is under construction, next to the village of Buchloe near Landsberg am Lech, southern Germany, 18 Jun 2008    » read more »

Islamabad -- 26 August 2008 -- The United Nations says its investigation into U.S. airstrikes on Friday in western Afghanistan found "convincing evidence" that the operation killed 90 civilians - 60 of whom were children. U.S. officials say the strikes killed 25 militants and five civilians, but they are continuing an investigation into the incident.

The United Nations weighed in on the disputed air strike just days after Afghan President Hamid Karzai denounced the civilian deaths in the attack.

U.N. spokesman Aleem Siddique called on the international and Afghan military forces to review the conduct of the operation to prevent a repeat of what he called a tragic incident.    » read more »

United Nations -- 27 August 2008 -- Russia's U.N. envoy has defended his government's decision to recognize two breakaway Georgian provinces, saying Tblisi's attack on South Ossetia earlier this month canceled existing U.N. resolutions that assure Georgia's territorial integrity and created a "new reality".

Reading a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said his government has recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the face of an "aggressive, chauvinistic policy pursued by Tblisi."

He said Russia showed great patience in waiting this long to recognize the two breakaway regions and its decision to do so was unanimous in the Russian parliament.    » read more »

Abuja -- 13 August 2008 -- Animal health specialists warn a new strain of highly pathogenic bird flu in Nigeria - which has previously not been recorded in sub-Saharan Africa - increases the risk of avian influenza spreading to other countries in West Africa.

Nigeria's bird flu officials blame infected migratory birds from Europe or Central Asia for the spread of the new strain of H5N1 to the country.

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization says the newly discovered virus strain is genetically different from the strain that circulated in Nigeria in 2006 and 2007.

The U.N. food agency says the new strain is similar to ones previously identified in Italy, Afghanistan and Iran, last year.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on Luol Deng being selected as the 2008 recipient of the UN Refugee Agency's Humanitarian of the Year Award:

"I want to congratulate Luol Deng on being honored with this award. In a world rife with conflict, one of our most important obligations is to look after the innocent victims of war, including those who are forced to flee their homes as refugees - and few understand this better than Luol.

"His dedication to bringing hope to millions of children living as refugees in Sudan and around the world is an inspiration, as is Luol's own life itself. Both on and off the court, Luol sets a standard of excellence and service that all Americans can look to for inspiration."    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- "Omar, a 69-year-old refugee from Baghdad, said he will die a 'slow death' if assistance is stopped. He and his family have depended on food and medical assistance since they fled to Syria in 2006." – UNHCR, May 2008.

Iraq remains one of the most dangerous places in the world. Its refugee crisis is worsening. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, an estimated 4.7 million have been displaced both within and outside Iraq and for many the situation is desperate.    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Saudi Arabia will increase its oil production next month by 200,000 barrels a day.

Mr. Ban says he learned of the Saudi plan to raise oil output again from Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia already increased its oil production by 300,000 barrels a day this month, compared to May, to meet growing demand from customers. The additional increase would raise total Saudi production to nine-point-seven million barrels a day.

Mr. Ban was speaking after a visit to the Saudi city of Jeddah, where he met Saturday with Saudi King Abdullah. The U.N. chief says they discussed global concerns about the rising price of oil and its impact on the cost of food.    » read more »